The Florence Chamber held its annual Board Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, June 18, at Victors in downtown Florence to acknowledge departing board members for their service.
The chamber staff presented current chairperson Paige Ard, VP & People Business Partner at Assurant, with an appreciation plaque honoring her service to the chamber board and to the Greater Florence community. Her service as chair of the chamber ends June 30, but she will remain with the chamber board in a past chair role.
The incoming chamber chairperson will be Ashley Christenbury, senior vice president-city executive at First Bank. Ashley’s term as chair will begin July 1, 2026. Also joining the executive board will be Jason Cox, MUSC Health Florence, as chair-elect. Brian Fast, regional business executive at First Citizens Bank, will remain on the executive team as treasurer.
Many of the new board members attended the Thursday luncheon. New members include Rachel Lane, FMU/Kelley Center; Derek Hemmingsen, HUB International; David Cicirello, Pepsi Cola of Florence; Andrew Chaplin, Palmetto Commercial Real Estate; Robert Sasser, Cresent Advisors; Paden Capps, Accountable Insurance; Celeste Padgett Kahn, Pee Dee Hearing; and Joette R. Dukes, Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments.
Departing board members include Ed Hoffman, Trinity Collegiate; Kirby Anderson, Raldex Hospitality; Rose Abuaita, Raines Company; Jay Hinesley, MUSC Health Florence; Dr. Brian Sang, Palmetto Smiles; and Amber Stephens, American Red Cross.
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Florence Chamber of Commerce
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